Description
Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore is a comforting Italian-inspired dish where tender chicken thighs are slow-cooked in a savory tomato sauce with garlic, herbs, mushrooms, and a touch of white wine. This rustic meal is perfect for a cozy dinner and is delicious served over pasta and topped with shredded Parmesan cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 carrot, peeled and diced
- 1 cup diced onion
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
- ½ cup dry white wine (such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Chardonnay)
- 8 chicken thighs, bone-in, skin removed
- 28 ounce can San Marzano crushed tomatoes
- 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, quartered
- 2 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley
- Shredded Parmesan cheese (for garnish)
- 8 ounces cooked pasta (for serving)
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables and Herbs: Add the olive oil to a 12-inch skillet and place it over medium heat. Add the diced carrot, onion, and minced garlic and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until the vegetables have just softened. Stir in the tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Let the mixture cook for 1 to 2 minutes to toast the spices and deepen the flavors.
- Deglaze with Wine: Pour in the dry white wine and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet to enrich the sauce.
- Assemble in Slow Cooker: Place the chicken thighs into the slow cooker. Spoon the sautéed vegetable and herb mixture over the chicken, then add the crushed San Marzano tomatoes on top. Cover and cook on the low setting for 4 to 5 hours, until the chicken is tender and thoroughly cooked.
- Add Mushrooms and Parsley: Stir the quartered cremini mushrooms and chopped Italian parsley into the slow cooker. Cover again and continue cooking for an additional 30 to 60 minutes on low, allowing the mushrooms to soften and the flavors to meld.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the chicken cacciatore over cooked pasta if desired, and garnish each portion with plenty of shredded Parmesan cheese for a rich and satisfying finish.
Notes
- This Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore offers a rustic and comforting Italian meal perfect for satisfying your craving for hearty, homestyle dishes.
- Removing the chicken skin reduces fat content while keeping the meat tender during slow cooking.
- San Marzano crushed tomatoes provide a sweet and less acidic tomato base, but any good quality crushed tomatoes can be used.
- Adjust red pepper flakes for desired heat level according to your taste.
- Serving over your favorite cooked pasta completes the dish with a traditional touch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 pieces of chicken with sauce and pasta
- Calories: 441 kcal
- Sugar: 13 g
- Sodium: 673 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.04 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 194 mg
